The San Clemente Tritons Water Polo Club began its initial season with just 11 San Clemente kids, barely enough to comprise one team.

Just over a year later, the club has over 40 players and is expanding to include not only a 10U team, but 12U and 14U as well.

“We knew that if we taught water polo fundamentals and discipline, we would be successful,” said assistant coach Mark Gansel. “But we also knew it takes more than just fundamentals and discipline to create success.”

So the club adopted a different approach to coaching – an approach that includes hands-on school and peer counseling, and direct community involvement.

“We are always talking to the kids about the pressures that they will face outside of the pool as well as inside the pool,” said Head Coach Chris Prusack. “As part of their learning, we are involving them in community based programs that give back to San Clemente.”

In this year alone, the club has participated in a beach clean-up, the Anti-Drug Red Ribbon Parade, a Christmas toy drive, and has sponsored five families in need for Thanksgiving.

“We are very fortunate to have three great coaches that played college water polo and see that water polo is more than a game, it is a way of life,” said Assistant Coach Mitch Kahn.

The response has been so great that San Clemente High coach Logan Powell has jumped on board.

“I think that what these coaches are doing is different than anything I’ve ever seen in water polo,” Powell said. “Not only are they donating their time for free, but they are giving so much more than your typical coach.”

The San Clemente Tritons is a not-for-profit, San Clemente-based water polo program that works out several times a week at the new Vista Hermosa pool. For registration information, contact Prusack at 949-933-9529 or visit sctritonswaterpolo.com.

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